LAST season, MWOS FC was the runaway train of the league, stitching together an imperious 16-game unbeaten streak that saw them perched comfortably at the summit by the mid-season break.
However, the wheels came off in the second half of the campaign, allowing Scottland FC to capitalise on their fatigue and snatch the title.
Determined not to let history repeat itself, head coach Lloyd Mutasa has revealed a strategic shift in philosophy: early-season squad rotation.
The Punters headed into the mid-season break on a high after securing a gritty 2-1 victory over Bulawayo Chiefs at Ngoni Stadium on Sunday. The win moved them to ninth place on the standings with six points from four matches.
While they currently trail pace-setters Caps United — who boast a perfect record — by six points, Mutasa is playing the long game.
“Rewind to last year, we went as far as 16 matches with the same line-up and it showed some effects as we progressed. But the good part of this team now is even the youngsters we are putting in to come and take the game to the other side, they are coming and giving a good shift and this creates competition,” he said.
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“If you have a lot of numbers wanting to play in the same match, as a coach you feel great.”
The victory against Chiefs was a testament to this burgeoning depth.
The Punters relied on goals from Arthur Banda and Namibian import, Dawid Ndeunyema, to cancel out Anesu Saiti’s effort for the visitors.
Ndeunyema, making his full debut, was particularly impressive. The 23-year-old forward, who joined from Namibia’s Blue Waters FC in February following a 10-goal haul last season, showed he is more than just a poacher.
Beyond his clinical finish, he showcased a flair for dribbling that unsettled the Chiefs' backline.
Mutasa has high hopes for the forward, likening him to Namibia’s Peter Shalulile.
“We said when we looked for him, he is going to be the next Shalulile,” he said.
“Already signs are showing that he’s got the desire to move forward. Being young, I am sure he is going to be a top player.”
By integrating talents like Ndeunyema and rotating his veterans early, Mutasa is betting that a fresher squad in August will be worth more than a few dropped points in March.
Whether the tactical evolution will be enough to challenge the unbeaten pace-setters remains to be seen, but for now, the Punters are showing signs of depth and determination.